Dr. Ben Manyido, Director General, Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) welcomes delegates to the 26^th ARSO General Assembly Events to be hosted by the Government of the Republic of Uganda, through the UNBS.

Sudan. Dr Sharif Mohamed Sharif appointed the New Directeur General of Sudanese Standards and Metrology Organisation (SSMO). SSMO has its headquarters in Khartoum. A part from ARSO, SSMO is a member of ISO, the African Regional Organization for Standardization (ARSO), the Arab Standards and Metrology Organization (ASMO), and Codex Alimentarius Commission, the Arab Industrial and Mining Organization (AIDMO), the Islamic Institute for Standardization, the International Institute for Cereal Science and Technology (ICC), African Electro-technical Standardization Commission (AFSEC), International Organization for legal metrology (OIML), an affiliate member of IEC. Besides being the focal point for SPS and TBT WTO Agreements. SSMO also signed several; bilateral agreements with the following: the Kenyan Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Korean Agency for Standardization (KATS), the Jordan Institution for Standards and Metrology (JISM), the Syrian Arab Organization for Standardization and Metrology (SASMO), the Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality (EOS), the Saudi Arabia Standards Organization, the Syrian Standards Organization (SASO), Emirates Authority for Standardization (ESMA), Turkish National Center for Standardization (TSE), Libyan National Center for Standardization (LNCSM), General Administration for Chinese Standards (SAC),Uganda National Center for Standardization (UNBS), Tunis National Institute for Standardization (INORPI) and the in the process of signing with the Ethiopian Standards Authority (QSAE).

The UN General Assembly in its 74th Plenary held on the 6th April, 2017 declared 27th June as Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, recognizing the importance of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in achieving sustainable development goals and in promoting innovation, creativity and sustainable work for all.  with this, Economic and Trade policies are becoming alive to the fact that Investing in SMEs is a long-term and smart strategy, with sustainable returns that multiply across societies, as the world over, SMEs are the cornerstone of most economies. They account for about half of global gross domestic product (GDP) and 60 %–70 % of employment. In Africa, they make up the lion’s share of enterprises and hire a large portion of the workforce, mainly the poorer, more vulnerable segments of society, such as youth and women. Investing in them will make them contribute more to GDP growth because of increased SME productivity, and it would mean better jobs and higher pay in the low-wage segments of the economy. Their increased competitiveness and productivity, through Policy reform, development of the trade support ecosystem and capacity building, including better regulatory environment and adopting of the Quality culture, standardisation, can contribute to solving one of Africa’s greatest socio-economic challenges, unemployment, poverty and hunger. It is estimated that Africa’s workforce will increase by a staggering 910 million people between 2010 and 2050, of which 830 million will be in sub-Saharan Africa.  The ARSO SMEs Standardisation programme (including, the Made in Africa Expo, the African Day of Standardisation Forum, Simplified outreach Materials, Capacity Building and Training Workshops, and involvement in African Industries in the ARSO Standards Development and Harmonisation projects) seeks to addresses some of the, following barriers highlighted below by Experts (Henk J. de Vries et al. 2013, New opportunities – Improving SME access to standards- https://www.iso.org/news/2013/02/Ref1711.html; SME Competitiveness: Standards and regulations matter http://www.intracen.org/uploadedFiles/intracenorg/Content/Redesign/Projects/SME_Competitiveness/Part%20I.pdf,; UNCTAD/ITE/TEB/2005/1- improving the competitiveness of SMEs through enhancing productive capacity, BSI):

1.  Barriers Restricting SMEs’ Awareness of Standards
2. lack awareness of the importance of standards for their own company or the potential added value of standards
3. Barriers Restricting SMEs’ Use of Standards
4. Once SMEs know that standards exist that can be useful for their company, they may then face problems in finding and tracing relevant standards  Selecting which among the standards require a good measure of market intelligence and contact with buyers as well as experience in assessing the relative demands, costs, and benefits of each—something for which there is almost no data whatsoever;
5. Finding the right standard, interpreting the text, implementing the standards and for solving those problems. Education is part of the solution. For Obtaining standards, the process may still not be easy and straight-forward. Even after, obtaining, SMEs may then face problems in understanding the standards as a result of difficult technical content, technical language, non-availability of a version in the national language, too many references to other standards, insufficient information to highlight the differences from the previous version of the standard, or a lack of information about the context of the standard.
6. On implementation, SMEs may then have difficulties in implementing standards because of their complexity, a lack of knowledge, skills or resources to do so. Many of the barriers and issues faced here are similar to those mentioned above, in that understanding is a first step to effectively using a standard. Outreach.
7. The reason for the implementation of a standard is to achieve business goals, and it is important that SMEs are able to evaluate the implementation of these standards and the impact of their use. However, the management of smaller firms is largely involved in the daily operational practice, and there is little time or money available for activities that are not directly related to this primary process. Further, SMEs may not find the time, or have the ability to assess the implementation of standards, meaning that they will not fully identify or understand the benefits of implementation, learn from the experience or modify their implementation as a result.
8. Barriers Restricting SMEs’ Participation in Standards Development
9. SMEs may also face a sequence of barriers, each of which may hinder them from benefiting from becoming involved in the process of standardisation (i.e. the development of standards). On the other hand, SMEs may be aware of standards but not realised that they can actively participate and influence the development process. Once SMEs are aware of the fact that they can become actively involved in standardisation, they may not be aware of the importance of participation or its potential benefits. This problem has two sides: low awareness amongst SMEs and employees, and a failure to create awareness through appropriate and sufficient communication activities. Once SMEs are aware and interested in the development of standards, they may face problems in tracing relevant standards development projects. An important reason for non-participation and not becoming involved in standardisation is simply being unaware of the standardisation process. Lack of resources (money, time, skills and knowledge) is another reason, where the costs of participation in terms of the time required, travel expenses and membership fees can be proportionally higher for SMEs.

Highlights of the 25^th ARSO General Assembly Events – 17^th -21^st June 2019 –:

ARSO held the annual ARSO Week, the 25^th ARSO General Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya on 17^th – 21^st June 2019 at Panari Hotel, with the events including:

1. 60th ARSO Council and the 3^rd ARSO Champions meeting – 17^th – 18^th (Monday-Tuesday) June 2019 (ARSO Council and Champions members only).
2. One day forum for the Africa Day of Standardisation and the Opening of the 25th ARSO General Assembly Events – 19^th (Wednesday) June 2019 (all invited members and stakeholders).
3. One day Meeting for the 25th ARSO General Assembly – 20^st (Thursday) June 2019(all invited members and stakeholders).
4. Industrial visits and other related social events organised by the Host – 21^st (Friday) June 2019 (all invited members and stakeholders).
5. The Made in Africa Expo to run concurrently with the events from 17th – 21st (Monday – Thursday) (June 2019.

The events, hosted by the Government of the Republic of Kenya, through the Kenya Bureau of Standards were attended by representatives from twenty-four (24) member States, Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia (Proxy Zambia), Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zanzibar (Observer member) and Policy Makers, Regulatory Bodies,  Automotive Industry Experts/Stakeholders, representatives from national regional, Continental and International Organisations (AAS, AMC Group Africa, AFREXIM BANK,  AFRAC, AFSEC, AFRIMETS, African Union, AFNOR, BSI, CEN-CENELEC/SIS, COMESA, DNVGL, ECOWAS,GSO, DNVGL, IEC, Intertek, ISO, ITU, KCFCS, KABM, KENAS, KATS/Korea,  KOFINAF, NEPAD, NRCS,PTB, RNF,  SAC, SMIIC, TMEA, UL, UNECA, UNIDO.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Hon. Mr. Peter Munya, the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Trade, Industries and Cooperatives, and addressed by Dr. Oswald Dr. Chinyamakobvu, Senior TBT/SPS Expert, African Union Commission, ARSO President, Dr. Eve Gadzikwa, KEBS Managing Director, Mr. Bernard Njiraini (addressing the delegates), and the ARSO Secretary General, Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana.

Mr. Munya emphasised on the importance of the AfCFTA as a key African Agenda 2063 Flagship Project that will trigger a virtuous cycle of more intra-African trade, which in turn will drive the structural transformation of economies from low productivity and labour intensive activities to higher productivity, with a marked  impact on Poverty reduction and significant benefits to millions of African citizens. He called on all Standardisation Stakeholders to work closely with Policy Makers to address the challenges posed by TBTs within the opportunities under AfCFTA Protocol.Hon. Peter Munya (center), together with the ISO President, Mr. Eddy Njoroge, 2^nd Right and Dr. Nsengimana, 2^nd left, following proceedings of the African Day of Standardisation Forum.

Dr. Chinyamakobvu outlined the current re-orientation of policy at the Africa Union, with the African Quality Infrastructure development being given high priority, under the Pan African Quality Infrastructure (PAQI). Dr. Eve Gazikwa emphasised the integral part being played by Quality Infrastructure in the implementation of the Free Trade Areas and called on the Standardisation community in Africa to collaborate in strengthening Quality Infrastructure in Africa’s. Mr. Bernard Njiraini emphasised on the role of the African National Bureau Standards (NSBs) on the implementation of the AfCFTA, while Dr. Nsengimana highlighted the strategic role of ARSO and the importance of the partnerships among the various Stakeholders, including the Private Sector and Development Partners in addressing the TBT Challenges under the AfCFTA.

In their Contributions, the ISO Secretary General Sergio MUJICA and the ISO President Elect, Mr. Edward Njoroge called on the increased, the need for strong voice of African countries in ISO Standardisation work and participation of ARSO members in the ISO Governance structures, and greater cooperation with ARSO within the opportunities in the AfCFTA Agreement and in  the ISO initiatives on Sustainable development Goals.

The African Day of Scandalisation Forum on 19^th June 2019, left no doubt that, while international trade provides opportunities for companies to benefit from important economies of scale, a proliferation of different standards and technical regulations and inconsistency in quality requirements, including the African Automotive Industry, drastically reduce these benefits. The overall recommendation of the Forum is the need for a common Regulatory Framework for Africa driven by the three global principles of “once tested (harmonised standards/equivalence policy), once certified (harmonised conformity assessment procedures), accepted everywhere (Accreditation and Mutual recognition arrangements)”, along with building Institutional Capacity and greater Awareness among African Institutions, Policy Makers, Producers and Traders (SMEs), the Academia, Consumers and the General Public, and with ARSO and the standardisation stakeholders (RECs, the AU, UNECA, Afreximbank, AfDB, NEPAD (PAQI institutions-AFRIMETS, AFRAC, AFSEC)and the Private Sector)  playing a greater role.

The Events also witnessed the signing of cooperation MoUs between ARSO and the International Trade Union (ITU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Standardization Organization (GSO), and side-line meetings on ARSO Cooperations and programmes implementation with:

• KATS especially on the discussion on the KATS-Korea invitational Training for the ARSO members scheduled for 19th – 23rd August 2019, in Seoul, Korea.
• ISO on the Regional engagement to “explore tailor-made approaches to address the needs of the ISO African members through ARSO.
• SIS – ARSO-SIS Cooperation on Strengthening Quality Infrastructure in Africa their respective ISO members.
• INBAR on the potential of standardisation to boost trade in bamboo and rattan products within the framework of the AfCFTA, and the participation of ARSO in the INBAR strategy aligned with SDGs within the INBAR Africa’s Projects dedicated Activities/Components invited training program for ARSO members
• ITU on the Standardisation opportunities, including the online solutions, within the ITU programmes and activities for the benefit of ARSO members
• SAC – on cooperation in standardisation on the Action Plan of Standard Connectivity on Building the Belt and Road (2018-2020), involving infrastructure development and investments in 152 countries and international organizations in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas.
• UL – Discussions on the Areas of mutual interest for ARSO and UL, including the structured cooperation through signed MoU on sharing the UL standards with ARSO for reference / adoption / adaption, and the ARSO Standards education and awareness programs.

The UN General Assembly in its 74th Plenary held on the 6th April, 2017 declared 27th June as Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, recognizing the importance of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in achieving sustainable development goals and in promoting innovation, creativity and sustainable work for all.  with this, Economic and Trade policies are becoming alive to the fact that Investing in SMEs is a long-term and smart strategy, with sustainable returns that multiply across societies, as the world over, SMEs are the cornerstone of most economies. They account for about half of global gross domestic product (GDP) and 60 %–70 % of employment. In Africa, they make up the lion’s share of enterprises and hire a large portion of the workforce, mainly the poorer, more vulnerable segments of society, such as youth and women. Investing in them will make them contribute more to GDP growth because of increased SME productivity, and it would mean better jobs and higher pay in the low-wage segments of the economy. Their increased competitiveness and productivity, through Policy reform, development of the trade support ecosystem and capacity building, including better regulatory environment and adopting of the Quality culture, standardisation, can contribute to solving one of Africa’s greatest socio-economic challenges, unemployment, poverty and hunger. It is estimated that Africa’s workforce will increase by a staggering 910 million people between 2010 and 2050, of which 830 million will be in sub-Saharan Africa.  The ARSO SMEs Standardisation programme (including, the Made in Africa Expo, the African Day of Standardisation Forum, Simplified outreach Materials, Capacity Building and Training Workshops, and involvement in African Industries in the ARSO Standards Development and Harmonisation projects) seeks to addresses some of the, following barriers highlighted below by Experts (Henk J. de Vries et al. 2013, New opportunities – Improving SME access to standards- https://www.iso.org/news/2013/02/Ref1711.html; SME Competitiveness: Standards and regulations matter http://www.intracen.org/uploadedFiles/intracenorg/Content/Redesign/Projects/SME_Competitiveness/Part%20I.pdf,; UNCTAD/ITE/TEB/2005/1- improving the competitiveness of SMEs through enhancing productive capacity, BSI):

1.  Barriers Restricting SMEs’ Awareness of Standards
2. lack awareness of the importance of standards for their own company or the potential added value of standards
3. Barriers Restricting SMEs’ Use of Standards
4. Once SMEs know that standards exist that can be useful for their company, they may then face problems in finding and tracing relevant standards  Selecting which among the standards require a good measure of market intelligence and contact with buyers as well as experience in assessing the relative demands, costs, and benefits of each—something for which there is almost no data whatsoever;
5. Finding the right standard, interpreting the text, implementing the standards and for solving those problems. Education is part of the solution. For Obtaining standards, the process may still not be easy and straight-forward. Even after, obtaining, SMEs may then face problems in understanding the standards as a result of difficult technical content, technical language, non-availability of a version in the national language, too many references to other standards, insufficient information to highlight the differences from the previous version of the standard, or a lack of information about the context of the standard.
6. On implementation, SMEs may then have difficulties in implementing standards because of their complexity, a lack of knowledge, skills or resources to do so. Many of the barriers and issues faced here are similar to those mentioned above, in that understanding is a first step to effectively using a standard. Outreach.
7. The reason for the implementation of a standard is to achieve business goals, and it is important that SMEs are able to evaluate the implementation of these standards and the impact of their use. However, the management of smaller firms is largely involved in the daily operational practice, and there is little time or money available for activities that are not directly related to this primary process. Further, SMEs may not find the time, or have the ability to assess the implementation of standards, meaning that they will not fully identify or understand the benefits of implementation, learn from the experience or modify their implementation as a result.
8. Barriers Restricting SMEs’ Participation in Standards Development
9. SMEs may also face a sequence of barriers, each of which may hinder them from benefiting from becoming involved in the process of standardisation (i.e. the development of standards). On the other hand, SMEs may be aware of standards but not realised that they can actively participate and influence the development process. Once SMEs are aware of the fact that they can become actively involved in standardisation, they may not be aware of the importance of participation or its potential benefits. This problem has two sides: low awareness amongst SMEs and employees, and a failure to create awareness through appropriate and sufficient communication activities. Once SMEs are aware and interested in the development of standards, they may face problems in tracing relevant standards development projects. An important reason for non-participation and not becoming involved in standardisation is simply being unaware of the standardisation process. Lack of resources (money, time, skills and knowledge) is another reason, where the costs of participation in terms of the time required, travel expenses and membership fees can be proportionally higher for SMEs.

1. ARS 1472:2018, Cleaning chemicals for use in food industry
2. ARS 1476:2018, Acidic liquid toilet cleaners — Specifications
3. ARS 1483:2018, Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) fertilizer — Specifications
4. ARS 1487:2018, Potassium chloride (muriate of potash) fertilizer — Specification
5. ARS 1488:2018, Potassium sulphate (sulphate of potash) — Specification
6. ARS 670-1:2019, Compressed earth blocks – Part 1 Definitions classifications specifications
7. ARS 670-2:2019, Compressed earth blocks — Part 2 Earth mortars
8. ARS 670-3:2019, Compressed earth blocks — Part 3 Test methods
9. ARS 670-4:2019, Compressed earth blocks — Part 4 Code of practice for production and construction
10. ARS 1306-1:2019, Guide for concrete — Part 1: Materials and testing
11. ARS 1307:2019, Guideline for energy efficiency in buildings
12. ARS 1308:2019, Guidelines for structural design for heavy duty pavement constructed of concrete or clay paving units
13. ARS 1336-2019, Guidelines for laying of precast concrete or clay paving units

The SDG Index score signifies a country’s position between the worst (0) and best (100) outcomes. Morocco leads the continent with a score of 66.1. Source, SDG Center for Africa’s SDG Index and Dashboards Report Summary 2018.

Goal 16 of the SDGs calls on all African member states to build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels with a focus to promote rule of law; reduce illicit flows, corruption and bribery.  The UN Secretary-General, António Gutierrez, highlights that corruption could be one of the greatest impediments to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Goals in Africa, and advising for strong institutions that bring together departments across sectors to analyse emerging governance and corruption challenges in Africa (UNDP 2017). José Ugaz, Chair of Transparency International (2014), has also emphasised that corruption represents a major obstacle to reaching all the SDG goals as it hampers economic growth and increases poverty, depriving the most marginalised groups of equitable access to vital services such as healthcare, education and water and sanitation.  The ARSO’s ARS 1651 (E) – Good Financial Grant practice Requirements, developed under the ARSO Technical Harmonization Committee Number 12-2 on Financial Services with Experts from across African countries and from Finance background, and  launched on 12th December, 2018, in Pretoria South Africa, is meant to facilitate Excellence in Grant Financial Management in Africa and advocating for strong and credible Financial institutions and practices to curb the war on corruption. It provides details of the requirements, specifications and criteria to be applied, to implement good financial grant practice, hence reducing the risk of corruption, bribery and fraud.

The SDGs GOAL 3 is on Good Health and Well-being, advocating for effective health care services for all. For Africa, Traditional Medicine acts as the first line of treatment for many people as Numerous traditional African medicines, due to their accessible, affordable and cultural acceptance, are undeniably, the main or only treatment of diseases or maintaining good health, as 80% – 90 % of people in Africa depend on traditional medicine for their primary healthcare (WHO, 2003) and the demand is growing at between 10 % to 20 % annually across the world. Dur to this, in its Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023, the WHO aims at building the knowledge base and formulating national policies; strengthening safety, proven quality and effectiveness through regulation; and, promoting universal health coverage by integrating T&CM services and self-health care into national health systems. With this, several African countries and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) have put in place initiatives to incorporate ATM in their healthcare systems, however the regulatory framework is weak.  With Experts from all over the continent, ARSO has initiated, in 2013, a programme on developing a continental regulatory Framework for the African Traditional Medicine, including, harmonisingAfrican Standards (ARS) and developing Conformity Assessment regimes to promote quality and safety of African Traditional Medicine, through a dependable regulatory Framework.

The world is increasingly urbanising, with Africa’s urban dwellers projected to hit around a billion in 2050. This trend has resulted in mobility revolution with an increased rate of motorization, but with devastating health results in key African cities such as Cairo, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Dakar (Hitchcock, Conlan, Kay, Brannigan, & Newman, 2014), with the need for clean and safe mobility in Africa attracting the attention of the policy makers, owing to over reliance on used vehicles, and owing to the fact that , dirty air in Africa could be killing 712,000 people a year, prematurely, compared with approximately 542,000 from unsafe water, 275,000 from malnutrition and 391,000 from unsafe sanitation (Dr Rana, 2016).

The United Nations (UNEP) is leading several global partnerships supporting a shift to cleaner and more efficient vehicles, including the Global Fuel Economy Initiative, eMob – promoting electric mobility, and the Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV). The PCFV is the leading global initiative to support countries in introducing cleaner (used) vehicles standards, regulations and policies.  ARSO in collaboration with Afreximbank has initiated, May 2019, under the ARSO Technical Working Group 08-4, a programme for the development of Regulatory Framework to Africa’s automotive sector, targeting the adoption of Clean Mobility solutions through standardisation. This initiative promoting transition to clean fuels and vehicle technologies, supported with harmonised continental regulatory Framework, and addresses the SDGs, 3-Good Health and Well-being; 6-Clean Water and Sanitation; 7-Affordable and Clean Energy; 11- Sustainable Cities and Communities; 13- Climate Action. The Automotive Stakeholders, held a meeting on 19th June 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya to develop roadmap for activities. First harmonisation meeting is scheduled for August 31st, 2019. 18 standards for harmonisation has been identified, with four being given the first priority:

• Evaluation of new vehicles – Vehicle model homologation, South Africa (Team Leader) & Ghana volunteered to develop the WD.
• Testing of roadworthiness of used motor vehicles – Code of practice, Zimbabwe (Team Leader) & Kenya volunteered to develop the WD.
• Code of practice – Roadside roadworthiness assessment of motor vehicles, Tanzania (Team Leader) & Zanzibar volunteered to develop the WD.
• Code of practice – Vehicle test station evaluation with Sierra Leone (Team Leader), Nigeria and Rwanda volunteered to develop the WD.

With increased globalisation, liberalisation and open economy, and with the onset of 4th Industrial revolution, with Information and communication technologies (ICTs) services such as the Internet of Things (IoT), the Artificial Intelligence (AI), competitiveness of firms is increasingly becoming dependant on the ability to incorporate new technology and management practices.  It is a dynamic New Combinations between Technology, Market, and Society offering new manufacturing and digital trade platforms, which provides both opportunities and challenges fr Africa’s SMEs. To take advantage and offer standardisation solution, ARSO is collaborating with IEEE on institutional coordination regarding the African Standardization Strategy for the 4th Industrial Revolution under the IEEE-SA Industry Connections Project. Initial activities focus on developing a strategy and roadmap, plus potential pilots and related capacity building activities. The collaboration also entails the deployment of Embedded Computing for Internet of Thing (IoT) Systems IEEE Blended Learning Program (IBLP-IOT-01). This cuts across Many SDGs: 1- Ending Poverty, 2-Zero Hunger, 3-Good Health and Wellbeing, 8-Decent Work and Economic Growth, 9-Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, 11-Sustainable Cities and Community.

The impact of universal access to WASH (Safe Water and adequate Sanitation) on global health would be profound. There is the potential to save the lives of the 829,000 people who currently die every year from diseases directly caused by unsafe water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene practices. It will help drive progress towards the SDGs concerned with poverty, work and economic growth and gender equity. In urban areas, for every $1 invested in basic drinking water, an average of more than $3, and $2.5, in basic sanitation, respectively, is returned in saved medical costs and increased productivity. In rural areas, the return on investment is even higher: with every $1 invested in basic drinking water, an average of nearly $7, and $5, in basic sanitation, respectively,  is returned in saved medical costs and increased productivity (Hutton et al. 2015(WHO/UNICEF 2019). The traditional flush toilet and sewer system, invented two hundred years ago, though has served humanity, remains impractical and too expensive given their dependency on water and energy availability for their effectiveness. There is need, therefore, to find affordable and sustainable sanitation solutions for Africa based on new technologies and standards, such as the ISO 30500:2018 – Non-sewered sanitation/next generation toilets and the ISO 24521:2016, together with ISO 24510:2007 ISO 24511:2007, relating to Safer drinking water and wastewater services. ARSO, in Collaboration with the ANSI-USA, is facilitating the adoption of these standards in Africa under the ARSO ARSO/THC 09-3 Technical Working Group on Drinking Water Supply and Wastewater Systems with the involvement of about 108 Experts, including Standards, Conformity Assessment Officers, Regulators and Water and Sanitation Experts from 32 African countries (Algeria, Botswana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Congo Brazzaville, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana , Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Liberia , Libya , Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia , Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal , South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Seychelles, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda , Zambia, Zanzibar , Zimbabwe). ARSO looks forward to working together with the African Minister’s Council on Water (AMCOW) to ensure sound policies, legal and regulatory frameworks, within the Framework of the 2016 Dar-es-Salaam Roadmap for achieving the Commitments on Water Security and Sanitation in Africa; African Water Week and the 2025 Africa Water Vision.

Climate Action – The ARSO Eco Mark Africa Project, launched on 8^th March 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya, is geared towards promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in Africa. The programme integrates, the concepts of environmental, social and economic sustainability and is a useful tool for promoting sustainable production and consumption of goods and services as well as addressing various sustainable development goals, including the mitigating the climate action in Africa, while ensuring the production of eco-friendly African products for better regional and global market access. The certification is based on the ARSO Sustainability and Eco-labelling standards: ARS/AES 01: Agriculture, for the sustainable production, processing and trading of agricultural products; ARS/AES 02: Fisheries – for the sustainable harvesting of fish as well as addressing the Ecosystem issues; ARS/AES 03: Forestry- for sustainable management of forests; ARS/AES 04: Tourism for sustainable management of  tourism, while promoting Eco Tourism and environmental conservation.

SMEs Competitiveness – The MADE IN AFRICA EXPO. – SDG Goal 17

In her Message during the MSME World Day on 27^th June 2019, Her E excellency, Amina J. Mohammed, and UN Deputy Secretary General highlighted that the MSMEs are key to creating the 600 million new jobs needed by 2030 to keep pace with the growth of the world’s working-age population. SMEs across key sectors of national economies are an important element of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals – SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) and SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure) and ending poverty and hunger. Initiated in 2013, the ARSO yearly-week-long Made in Africa Expo is a programme that promotes the competitiveness of African SMEs, through creating awareness on how meeting standards and acquiring quality certifications are essential to access foreign markets and become part of the global value chains. Certified firms are typically more productive and supply better-quality products, facilitating access to new markets, new investors and greater buyer satisfaction. The latest Made in Africa Expo was held in the week of 17^th – 21t June 2019 during the 25^th ARSO General Assembly Events in Nairobi, Kenya, with Kenyan SMEs participating in the Expo and expressing their challenges with standardisation.

The SDGs in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, according to UNCTAD Policy Brief No. 6 of 2015, will form the development paradigm from 2016 to 2030. Of the 17 SDGs, goal 17 includes trade-related targets, two of which specifically call for enhancing the export performance of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), in which:

• 17.11: Significantly increase the exports of developing countries, in particular with a view to doubling the LDCs’ share of global exports by 2020.
• 17.12: Realize timely implementation of DFQF market access on a lasting basis for all LDCs consistent with World Trade Organization (WTO) decisions, including by ensuring that preferential rules of origin applicable to imports from LDCs are transparent and simple, and contribute to facilitating market access.

On a wider Scale, various Authors and Experts (Dr. Sarwar Hobohm, UNIDO; Robert H. Allen, 2000; Utterbac J.M., 1994; Uwe Miesner, 2009;  Christina Tippmann- World Bank, 2013; UNCTAD 2015; Farahat, 2015; unido, 2006; Eoin O’Sullivan, 2012; Ramachala, 2013; COMESA (Cheelo et al., 2012); EAC (Karingi et al., 2016; KAM, 2017); ECOWAS & UEMOA (de Roquefeuil, 2013; Laski et al., 2014); SADC & SACU (Edwards et al., 2008; Cheelo et al., 2012); AfCFTA (UNECA, 2018); Japanese Industrial Standards Committee, 2005;  Fiona Stokes, 2011; BSI,  Standards matter to consumers, How standards benefit us all, every day ;  USAID, 2016; UNIDO 2016; ISO 2014, Economic Benefits of Standards; Jae-Yun Ho, 2013;  ARSO, 2013, Benefits of Standards)  have highlighted the crucial role of Standards in promoting trade and Sustainable Development.

• In expanding trade, in particular, standards and technical regulations are essential for market access. Standards (voluntary) and technical regulations (mandatory) define what goods and services can and cannot be exchanged, and outline procedures under which such exchanges are and are not permissible. Standards define how products, processes, and people interact with each other and their environments. They enhance competitiveness by offering proof that products and services adhere to requirements of governments or the marketplace. When used effectively, they facilitate international trade and contribute to technology upgrading and absorption.
• Globally relevant standards make it easier for many companies’ particularly small and medium enterprises to get their products certified and on the shelves in countries around the world, allowing them to take part in global value chains, benefit from technology transfer, and compete on a more equal footing. Similarly, nations that incorporate harmonised standards into their policies and regulations allow their citizens access to a wider selection of high-quality goods, while also providing protection against dangerous or faulty products and services.
• The provision of Standards contributes to economic growth by increasing the volume of trade, and promoting innovation through the dissemination of research and technology. Standards help companies to reduce costs and increase the quality of the goods and services they produce.  They allow companies to develop new markets for existing goods and services, as well as create new goods and services for existing markets.
• Standards enhance product reputation and provide for lesser market risks for companies introducing products to the market. Standards provide a vital link to global trade, market access and export competitiveness, enhance product reputation and provide for lesser market risks and simplify large-scale production processes thus reduce costs.
• Standards help in developing the market for products and services based on the newest technologies. Companies that participate actively in standards work have a head-start on their competitors in adapting to market demands and new technologies, and enjoy reduced research risks and development costs.
• When used effectively, standards play an important role in global trade, contributing to technology upgrading and absorption, and protecting consumers and the environment. Minimum quality and safety standards allow consumers to assess the quality or safety of a product before purchasing it and enable regulators to exclude unsafe products from the market.
• Adherence to widely recognized international or inter-company standards can help the sectors, which earlier had been segmented by variable standards, to enjoy economies of scale by reducing conformity assessment costs and increasing output due to the emergence of new potential customers.

Standards are used to codify the technical characteristics and market preferences for products and processes, facilitating knowledge absorption and technological change. Standards ensure safer, healthier, more environmentally sound and market-ready products, improved quality and reliability, better operational compatibility between products, greater consistency in the delivery of services, easier access to and greater choice in goods and services, better product information, suitable products for vulnerable populations, lower costs and greater competition hence lower prices for consumers

THC 02: Agriculture and Food Products : Improving Agricultural productivity in Africa

Standardisation in the field of agricultural products, human and animal foodstuffs as well as animal and vegetable propagation materials, in particular terminology, sampling, methods of test and analysis, product specifications, agricultural and food safety management systems, agro-food processing, agro-food trade systems, requirements for packaging, traceability, storage and transportation, agricultural inputs and agricultural machinery.

SDGs: 1, 2, 3, 10, 12

THC 03: Building and Civil Engineering   Improving Sustainable Urbanisation and Human Dwellings in Africa

Harmonization and sustainability in the field of building, construction and civil engineering works for standards or products related to wood technology, concrete, reinforced concrete and pre-stressed concrete; cement and lime, timber, steel and aluminum structures, non-conventional building materials and other local materials in Africa. It also covers the development of technical specifications, technical reports and guidelines within the field of the committee. It excludes the development of design codes.

SDG’s 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11

THC 04: Mechanical Engineering and Metallurgy.   Improving Sustainable Manufacturing and Industrialisation in Africa

Scope: Mechanical Engineering and Metallurgy Standards shall cover: Mechanical systems and components for general use; Fluid systems and components for general use; Manufacturing engineering; Materials handling equipment; Metallurgy.

SDG’s 1, 8, 11, 17

THC 05: Chemistry and Chemical Engineering   Improving Sustainable Manufacturing and Industrialisation in Africa

Scope:  Chemical technology- Glass and ceramics; Rubber and plastic; Paper technology; and Paint and colours among others.

SGD’s 1, 3, 8, 9, 17

THC 06: Electrotechnology   Improving Sustainable Energy Production in Africa.

Standardisation in the fields of electrical engineering; power engineering; renewable energy technologies; rural electrification; electronics; telecommunications and audio and video engineering; information and communications technology and office machines.

SDG’s 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, , 17

THC 07: Textiles and Leather Improving Sustainable Manufacturing and Industrialisation in Africa

Textiles and leather technology including products in their value chains. For textiles, this include: Cotton production: Standards for cotton fibres (lint), bales, cottonseed; textile manufacturing: Standards for yarns, fabrics, netting; apparels: Standards for clothing, garments, shirts; household furnishings: Standards for carpets, curtains; industrial textiles: standards for ropes, geotextiles, etc. For leather technology, this include: good practices for recovery of hides and skins; guidelines on tanning procedures; specifications for leather products: footwear, upholstery, garments, bags, and other accessories.

SDG’s 1, 5, 8, 9, 10,

THC 08: Transport and Communication Improving Sustainable Infrastructure, Structural transformation, Cities and Industrialisation in Africa

Transport services: road, water, rail, air, etc.; Road vehicles engineering; Railway engineering; Shipbuilding and marine structures; Aircraft ground operations; Packaging and distribution of goods; etc.; Multi-modal transport and communication services.  The scope is in line with the objectives of the AU Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA)

SDG’s 1, 3, 8, 9, 11, , 17

THC 09: Environmental Management   Improving Sustainable Environmental Management in Africa

Environmental protection with regards to air, water and soil quality including environmental management systems and impact assessments. Environmental labelling, performance evaluation and life cycle assessment based on sustainability standards. Health and safety considerations, Socioeconomic considerations

SDG’s 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17

THC 10: Energy and Natural Resources Improving Sustainable Environmental, Energy development and Natural Management in Africa

Energy and heat transfer engineering; Mining and minerals; Solid mineral fuels; Petroleum and related technologies; Forestry resources; Renewable biomass-based energy resources; Bioenergy and related products.

SDG’s 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17

THC 11: Quality Management Improving Sustainable Business and Trade in Africa.

Quality management and quality assurance concepts, terminologies, quality systems and supporting technologies in all sectors of industry, production, trade and services.

SDG’s 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 17

THC 12: Services   Improving Sustainable Services Development in Africa.

General Service level standards; Finances, Banking, Monetary systems, Insurance Financial services; Healthcare services; Beauty, wellness services and premises; Applications of cosmetics; Trade facilitation: Processes, data elements and documents in commerce, industry and administration; Sociology: Demography (Market, opinion and social research. Product recall); Leisure: Tourism and related services; Education: Learning services for non-formal education and training; Psychological assessment; Project Management: Facilities management; Anti-counterfeiting tools: Fraud countermeasures and controls; Patents: Intellectual property.

SDG’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17

THC 13: African Traditional Medicine Improving Sustainable Health care in Africa.

Quality and safety of African Traditional Medicine (ATM) to facilitate regional and international trade with an initial focus on: terminology, raw material, test methods, processed products specifications and sustainable practices

SDG’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13, 17.

Analysis and Highlights from the Desk of the ARSO Secretary General.

The increased reference to standardisation (and its attendant Compliance Infrastructure) in trade and economic policies and as a regulatory instrument and development tool, in Africa by Development Partners and Institutions, Political actors, Policy Makers, Economists and Industrialists, and the African Union in its Summit decisions, and the bold initiatives being undertaken by the standardisation stakeholders and Partners (Afreximbank, AfDB, UNECA, UNCTAD, USAID, JIKA, TMEA, UNIDO)  in Africa, such as the development of an African Quality Policy, are clear pointers on the future prospects of Africa in embracing standardisation as a Key Pillar in Africa’s sustainable Development, and the eminent role of ARSO. For Example: UNECA and the African Union have undertaken to emphasise on the responsibilities of the African countries on the need for effective Quality Infrastructure Since the Lagos Plan of Action 1980, Chapter VII, Trade and finance, Trade, Intra- African trade expansion, paragraph 250 (k and I), and Abuja Treaty of 1991 Establishing the African Economic Community, under Chapter XI on Standardization and Measurement Systems, Article 67 Chapter XI. The AU document on boosting intra-African trade and the establishment of a CFTA (AU 2012) highlights the responsibilities of the African countries and RECs in the AfCFTA Programme to Boost the Intra-African Trade imploring on them  “to appreciate and recognise the importance of standards, metrology, conformity assessment and accreditation, and to  harmonise their practices in this area to achieve mutual product recognition, while emphasising the need for cooperation and development and adoption of a common policy framework consistent with the provisions of the relevant WTO agreement.” At the 9th Ordinary Session of the AU Conference of Ministers of Trade (CAMoT) convened at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 4 to 5 December, 2014, the African Union called on ARSO and other Pan African Standards organisations to refer to the year 2017 as African year of Quality Infrastructure; increase awareness and mobilise all stakeholders on the role of Quality Infrastructure; and develop a Strategic Plan on Quality Infrastructure in Africa.

UNECA in its Economic Report of Africa 2015 highlights the importance of such institutions as PAQI (AFRAC, AFRIMETS, AFSEC, ARSO) in addressing the TBT issues, appreciating the fact that “stringent standards and sanitary and phytosanitary measures, due to Africa’s lack of quality-assurance and easily accessible standard setting and monitoring bodies, increase costs for African producers, particularly in developed country markets, highlighting the self-evident  need for a coordinated continental actions. The African Development Bank’s (AFDB 2019) African Economic Outlook projects Africa’s GDP growth to accelerate to 4.0 percent in 2019 and 4.1 percent in 2020 but only if there will be increased intra-African Trade spurred by growth of industrial activities and concerted efforts towards addressing the Technical Barriers to Trade (Standards and the associated Compliance systems) that have been a great hindrance to the free movement of Goods and services in Africa (AFDB 2019).

The UNCTAD (2015), the 2015 Economic Development in Africa Report on Unlocking the Potential of Africa´s Services Trade for Growth and Development cites the need for better regulation and policies (Ref. Quality Policy) to unleash the potential of Africa’s services economy and propel the continent as major global player in services trade, for sustainable Development. The World Bank (2013) highlights the need for improving quality assurance and management systems by firms, and better monitoring, evaluation, product testing and packaging methods to respond to changing technical requirements of Global trading partners and sustainable development. UNIDO (2016) is categorical that setting up a standardisation system, standards and related infrastructure for compliance (Quality Infrastructure System) is one of the most positive and practical steps that a developing nation (African countries) can take on the path forward to developing a thriving and sustainable economy as a basis for prosperity, health and well-being. USAID (2016) advices on the inclusion of the standardisation systems (metrology, accreditation, standards, certification, and quality (MAS-Q) in the development of economic policies as understanding the link between standardisation (MAS-Q) and global trade, industrialization and export competitiveness should be an integral part of economic development and trade policy.

UNCTAD (UNCTAD/ITE/TEB/2005/1) highlights the need for developing polies that address the standardisation needs and challenges of the SMES in Africa as with Globalization, the TBTs (e.g. regulations, product standards, testing and certification procedures), and sanitary and phytosanitary standards, and SPS (e.g. food safety and animal and plant health standards), pose  the greatest challenge to the SMEs in developing regions such as Africa in participating in regional and global value chains and accessing new markets, unlike the SMEs in the developed regions. As a policy instrument, the AfCFTA Agreement, under the TBT Annex 6 and SPS Annex 7, addresses the TBTs and SPS issues, and binds all State parties to commit to their progressive elimination and calls for cooperation in their development, harmonisation and implementation.

The chief principle mandate of ARSO is to address the challenges of the TBS through harmonisation of Standards and Conformity Assessment, and create greater awareness and capacity building on the challenge of the TBTS in Africa, to facilitate Intra -Africa Trade and Sustainable development in Africa. These Developments have taken place as ARSO continues to reposition itself to address the TBTs challenges in Africa highlighted above by the Trade and Policy Institutions